Lesson video

Hello, and welcome to today's spelling lesson.

I'm Mr. Moss.

I love spelling and I'm really looking forward to teaching you today.

With you today, you'll need to bring your looking eyes, your listening ears, and your thinking brains, obviously, as well as something to write with and write on, which will be really, really helpful and useful.

Right, let's not waste any more time, and let's get into today's spelling lesson.

In this lesson, we're going to be spelling words with the suffixes -ant and -ance.

The outcome will be, "I can spell words with the suffix is -ant and -ance for the sounds 'unt' and 'unce.

'" Here are the key words for today's learning.

My turn, your turn.

Suffix.

Root word.

Noun.

Abstract noun.

Adjective.

Let's chat about what these mean then.

A suffix is a letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning.

A root word is the base word from which other words are formed, often by adding prefixes or suffixes.

A noun is a naming word for a person, place, or thing.

An abstract noun is a type of noun that names an idea or quality that cannot be seen.

And an adjective describes a noun.

It tells you what it's like.

So, in adding some of the suffixes that we're gonna be adding today, to root words, will be changing the word class of that word when creating a new word and we look closely at how this changes.

Here's the outline.

We're gonna be spelling words with the suffixes -ant and -ance.

We're gonna begin by using the suffix -ant, and then we're gonna link the suffixes <v ->ant, -ance, and -ancy.

</v> And we'll finish out today's lesson with a short learning cycle on spelling some curriculum words.

So, let's begin by using the suffix -ant.

Let's read some words to begin with.

Hesitant, significant, tolerant, assistant, different, innocent, confident, independent.

So, you may notice that all of these words end in either -ant or -ent.

These endings can sound the same, but they're clearly spelled differently.

One -ant, one -ent.

The ending for can be pronounced "unt," and it sounds similar in almost all of the words.

Choosing the right ending when spelling, is not easy, as they sound the same and are often unstressed.

So we don't clearly hear whether it's an A or an E.

There are some clues to help us decide the correct spelling.

We're gonna look closely at these now.

Words ending in -ant are often found after a hard C or a hard G.

Whilst words ending in -ent come after a soft C or soft G.

Let's have a little look at this in action.

Arrogant.

Hard G, g.

Decant.

Something you would do.

Decant one bottle to another.

Hard C.

Elegant.

Hard G.

Now, let's listen to some soft Cs and Gs, and notice that they have -ent as opposed to -ant.

Innocence.

Oh sorry, innocent.

Although innocence is a word we'll come on to look at later, which is also linked to meaning and spelling.

Decent.

Intelligent.

So j, j, s, s, soft G, soft C.

So that's our -ent.

So our rule here is, hard G or hard C, hard sound before the "unt," -ant.

Soft C, soft G before the "unt," -ent.

What sound can you hear before the -ant or -ent ending? Read the word.

So our word is "arrogant." What sound can you hear there? Is it a soft C, a hard C, a soft G, or a hard G? Select the correct answer now.

Off you go.

Brilliant.

Arrogant, g, g, is a hard G.

So that's why it's our -ant spelling for that "unt." This word is "diligent." Say that for me, diligent.

Is it a soft C, hard C, soft G, or hard G? Select the correct answer now.

Brilliant.

It is a soft G, hence we have our -ent spelling.

This word is "magnificent." Say that for me, magnificent.

Select from A, B, C, or D now.

Great job.

Magnificent, s, s, soft C, that's why we have our -ent spelling.

This one here, "significant." Say it for me, significant.

Choose from A, B, C, or D now.

Off you go.

Brilliant.

Significant, k, k.

We have a hard C, hence why we have our -ant spelling.

So, words ending in -ant may have a related word in which you can hear the "ay" sound more clearly, which will help you to remember this in "ay" spelling, -ant.

Observant, for instance.

We don't clearly say observant, but here we say observation.

A linked word where you can hear that "ay" and see that "ay" spelling, so you know it's going to be -ant.

Expectant.

Expectation is a linked word where you have that 'ay", so you know it's going to be -ant.

Tolerant.

Yep, you've guessed it, toleration.

So you have that "ay" helping you to remember that, that it's -ant.

Applicant.

Application.

Thinking of the related word can help you to choose the correct -ant or -ent spelling.

Because these have linked words that have an "ay" sound in them, and you can see that "ay" spelling, that means they're -ant words.

So, with the rules that we've looked at in mind, whether it's a hard C or soft C, or hard G or soft G, and there's linked words, can you have a go at choosing the correct spelling of these words for me? Expectant, tolerant, innocent.

Off you go.

Fantastic job, team.

So, expectant, the correct spelling is our -ant.

Tolerant, it's also -ant.

I'm wondering how you could have remembered this.

Well, you can hear that "ay" in expectation and toleration, those are linked words.

Linked in, meaning linked in spelling.

And then innocent, -ent, because we have our soft C here.

When there is an obvious root word, some familiar spelling patterns are used when adding our suffix -ant.

We can just add the suffix, like with assist, an assistant, expect, an expectant.

Or we can replace the Y with I and then add our suffix.

Rely becomes reliant.

Defy becomes defiant.

Comply becomes compliant.

So, just add the suffix or remove a Y and then add an I, and then the suffix.

There is this pattern as well, which is really important, remove the E and then add the suffix.

Observe becomes observant.

(imitates air whooshing) We've removed that E.

Serve becomes servant.

We've removed that E.

Many suffix spelling rules apply to a wide range of suffixes.

If you know some rules for one suffix, they may apply to another suffix.

So, with the rules that we've looked at so far in mind, can you choose the correct spelling of each word? The words are significant, vibrant, and hesitant.

Off you go.

Brilliant.

I could see they're applying a variety of strategies to help you select the correct spelling.

So, the first one is, significant.

Here we have our hard C, so I know it's going to be my -ant.

Then we have vibrant, it's -ant.

And hesitant, also -ant.

You can hear the "ay" in the linked words, vibration and hesitation.

So, for our practise task now, what I'd like you to do for me, is underline the correct spelling of these commonly used words.

Let's read through them first.

Important, obedient, significant, innocent, violent, confident, elegant, expectant, assistant, evident, excellent, tolerant, brilliant, and extravagant.

So, use the clues that we've covered in this learning cycle so far to help you.

Does the word have a hard or soft C or G? Is there a related word where you can hear the vowel more clearly? You may need to choose by what looks right as well.

So, choose the correct spellings, either the -ant or -ent at the end of these words.

Underline them now.

Off you go, team.

Brilliant job.

Really, really impressed.

Really good application of those rules there.

This is quite tricky, isn't it? So, the first one was, important, it's our -ant.

Obedient is -ent.

Significant, -ant.

Innocent, soft C there, -ent.

Violent, -ent.

Confident, -ent.

Elegant, hard G, -ant.

Expectant, expectation is a linked word there, that "ay," so we know it's -ant.

Assistant, -ant.

Evident, -ent.

Excellent, -ent.

Tolerant, -ant.

Toleration is a linked word there.

Brilliant, -ant.

And extravagant, hard G, -ant.

Which spellings did you know, and which were more difficult? You'll have an opportunity to practise these in the next learning cycle.

Always keep a track of the spellings you found more difficult, and practise them and extra bit.

Make any corrections now.

Off you go.

Onto then our next learning cycle, which is a linking our suffixes -ant that we've been looking, at -ance and -ancy.

So let's read some words.

Hesitance.

So not hesitant this time, but hesitance.

Significance, reluctance, abundance, so a large amount of something.

Fragrance, vibrancy, vacancy, so an empty position.

They all end in the suffixes -ance or -ancy here.

They are abstract nouns.

Abstract nouns are a type of thing, but they have no physical form.

We can't see or touch them.

The suffixes -ness, -ity, and -tion can also create abstract nouns such as happiness, equality, and education.

You may have come across those suffixes before.

All of these words have a related word ending in -ant.

Changing the -ant suffix to the -ance or -ancy suffix can change the word from an adjective, so describing word, to a noun, a person, place, or thing.

So, here we have our -ance or -ancy words, hesitant, significance, reluctance, abundance, fragrance, vibrancy, and vacancy.

And if I change them to -ant, I now have hesitant, significant, reluctant, abundant, fragrant, vibrant and vacant, which are all adjectives.

So, "The girl was a kind and tolerant person." The word tolerant here that have -ant suffix, is an adjective.

It's describing the girl, who is the noun.

Remember, an adjective describes a noun.

If I now create the word tolerance, which is that -ance, linked in spelling and meaning.

"The school promotes tolerance and respect for all pupils," the word tolerance now is an abstract noun.

It's the name of an idea, a quality.

The quality of being tolerant.

So you can see here, we've changed from an adjective to a noun, an abstract noun.

Which word class are vacant and vacancy? Read the sentences.

Brilliant.

"You can enter the vacant cubicle." Although vacant here is an adjective, it's describing the cubicle, which is our noun.

It means not currently occupied.

"The vacancy in the school needs filling." Here, vacancy is an abstract noun.

It means the state of being unoccupied or empty.

It's a position that needs filling.

So, just as it can be hard to tell the difference between -ant and -ent as we looked at it in that first learning cycle, it can also be hard to tell the difference between -ance, -ence, or -ancy and ency.

The end of tolerance and innocence can both sound like "unce." The end of hesitancy and decency can both sound like "uncy." Luckily, our knowledge of the spelling of related words can help us to make informed decisions with these new spellings.

So, words ending in -ant are often found after a hard C or a hard G.

Whilst the words ending in -ent, remember, come after a soft C or soft G.

Significant, elegant, innocent, intelligent.

Hard C, hard G, -ant.

Soft C, soft G, -ent.

The same principle that we learned in that first learning cycle applies to words ending in -ance, -ancy, or -ence, -ency.

Significance, hard C.

Elegance, hard G, so it's -ance.

Vacancy, hard C, so it's -ancy.

Innocence, soft C, so it's -ence.

Intelligence, soft G, so it's -ence.

And decency, soft C, so it's -ency.

There are some exceptions though.

Assistant and assistance for instance.

So, what sound can you hear before the suffix or the ending? Is it soft C, hard C, soft G, or hard G? Agency.

Read the word for me, agency.

Point now to A, B, C, or D.

Brilliant.

It's a soft G, so hence, why we have our -ency spelling.

Read this word for me, vacancy.

Brilliant.

Point now, A, B, C, or D? Excellent.

So, vacancy.

So I'm looking at this sound comes before my -ancy ending, k, k, it's a hard C, hence why we have our -ancy.

Arrogance.

Say that word for me, arrogance.

Point now to the correct spelling, A, B, C, or D? Off you go.

Excellent.

So, it's a hard G, so it's -ance.

Say this word for me, magnificence.

Brilliant.

Point now to either A, B, C, or D.

Off you go.

Fantastic.

Magnificence, it's a soft C, hence why we have our -ence ending.

So, just like words ending in -ant, words ending in -ance or -ancy may have a related word in which you can hear an "ay" sound more clearly.

Observance, for instance.

Observation, mean here we know it's gonna be a "ay." Expectancy, expectations.

So we know it's gonna be our -ancy.

Hesitance, hesitation.

Again, that "ay." Thinking of the related word can help to choose the correct -ance, -ancy, -ence, or -ency spelling.

So, with the rules that we just looked at in mind, can you choose the correct spelling of the words? Off you go.

Brilliant.

Significance, k, k, hard C, so -ance.

So, there we go.

Vibrancy, -ancy.

And hesitance, -ance.

With these two, we can hear that long "ay" sound in those are linked words.

Vibration, -ation, and hesitation, -ation.

So we know it's our -ancy or -ance spelling.

Great job.

Again, read the words.

Think about the rules we've looked at.

Choose the correct spelling of the word.

Fantastic job, team.

So, expectancy.

Well, there's a linked word there, isn't there? Hesitance, also -ance.

With these two, we can hear that long "ay" sound in those linked words, expectation and hesitation.

And indulgence.

Well, I know it's going to be -ence here because we have a soft G.

So, for our practise task now what we're gonna do is we're gonna have a go at spelling some words that contain these suffixes.

Remember to sound out the word, think of the rules that we've looked at carefully in both learning cycles today.

Read the word and check.

Remember also, think about any linked words.

So, the first word is, vacant.

"The position is vacant." Two, tolerance.

"Tolerance is an important value." Three, reluctance.

"He showed reluctance to do his work." Four, significance.

"It was a moment of great significance." And number five, assistance.

"May I offer you some assistance?" I'll say this one more time.

Vacant, tolerance, reluctance, significance, assistance.

Off you go, team.

Exceptional work.

This is quite a tricky skill.

So really good application of some of those rules we've looked at earlier.

So the first word was, vacant.

Now, because I have a hard C here, it's gonna be my -ant spelling.

The next word was, tolerance.

A linked word here is, toleration.

I can hear that "ay" so I know it's going to be my -ance.

Then we have, reluctance.

Reluctance.

It's our -ance spelling here.

There's a linked word there of, reluctant, which also has -ant.

Then we have, significance.

Significance is a hard C, so it's -ance.

And then we have, assistance.

This is one that didn't quite follow our rules that we've been looking at, but it's an -ance.

Brilliant.

Linked to that word, assistant.

How did you do that, team? Check now, make any corrections, and share your learning.

Off you go Onto then our final learning cycle, which is spelling curriculum words.

Let's read the following words.

Nuisance.

Oh, it has that -ance suffix, nuisance.

Sincere.

If you're sincere, you mean what you're saying.

If you're a nuisance, you're causing bother to someone.

And finally, guarantee.

Fantastic.

What do you notice about these spellings? Look carefully again at them.

Is anything perhaps tricky about them? Say them again.

Look at them carefully.

Have a think.

Off you go.

Lovely, some great thinking going on there.

So, I've noticed this about all of these words.

In nuisance, it has a "ui" and an -ance suffix, but it doesn't follow any rules that we've looked at like the other -ance words.

So, we just have to remember, it's -ance at the end, and it's that strange "ui" making that "u" sound.

It has no related words so we just have to remember how to spell this word, nuisance.

In sincere, the letter "cere" sound like "seer." The C is a soft C followed by the "ere" spelling, like in the word "here." The word guarantee has a silent "u." You don't say ga-a-rantee, ge-ah-rantee, you say guarantee, sounds like an "ah" sound there, but it's the "uar" making that sound.

So watch out for that one.

Ah, I hope you're really paying attention to those words.

"Which are the words that we've just read are spelled correctly?" Point now to the correct spelling of nuisance.

Great job.

Remember, it's that news, it's about "ui" and then it has that -ance ending.

Point now to the correct spelling of sincere.

Brilliant.

Sin, "sin," there's a "sin" in sincere, and it's that "cere," making that "seer" sound at the end, that soft C.

And finally, guarantee.

What was the naughty letter here? Point now to the correct spelling of guarantee.

Fantastic.

So, remember, it had that silent U in it.

Excellent.

And it's that double E at the end.

So, because these are curriculum words, they're gonna appear a great regularity and it's really important that we are confident with reading and spelling them.

So, we're gonna practise them now using the "look, cover, write, check" strategy.

Really great independent strategy.

So this is where you look carefully at words.

So I'm looking at nuisance, and you consider what's difficult about it and what you need to remember about it.

It's got that "ui" and it's that -ance suffix there.

I then cover it up, I've got it in my memory, and I have a go writing it in my nieces handwriting.

I then check back into the original spelling without uncovering it.

Oh, I spelled it correctly.

But I don't just stop there.

I practise it a number of times to really embed it into my long-term memory.

Use the "look, cover, write, check" strategy now to practise writing nuisance, sincere, and guarantee a number of times.

Off you go.

Excellent work, team.

Really impressed.

Did you manage to spell them correctly? Make any corrections and share your learning now.

Off you go.

Brilliant job in spelling today, team.

We've been spelling words with the suffixes -ant and -ance.

The -ant, -ance, or -ancy spelling may be found after a hard C or hard G.

The suffixes -ance and -ancy can create abstract nouns.

Words ending in -ant, -ance, -ancy sometimes have related words, whether "ay" vowel sound is clearer, like hesitancy and hesitation.

We just need to learn how to spell many words ending in -ant as there may not be a rule or pattern to help us.

Keep up the great spelling, everyone, and I'll see you again soon.